AEGIS-NET

Main Goals of the Project

AEGIS-NET proposes the design of a cost-effective, mobile, autonomous, GNSS-independent and Electronic Warfare (EW)-tolerant, purpose-built, short-range air defence (SHORAD) system, for tactical C-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems) operations, to protect forward elements and frontline units that are vulnerable and highly exposed to loitering munition attacks, thereby offloading the burden of manual threat engagement and enhancing operational resilience.

AEGIS-NET integrates vehicle-mounted nodes and attritable fibre-optic tethered rocket-shaped UAV Interceptors, with human-on-the-loop control. AEGIS-NET delivers sensor fusion of multi-parametric passive sensing (EO, acoustic, RF/ESM, RGBD) for rapid detection, tracking and identification and threat classification; intent prediction and intercept geometry; MARL (Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning) based swarm coordination; PNT-resilient navigation and comms; auditable engagement logic; and a mobile docking station for launch, recharge and rearm to sustain magazine depth.

Validation uses digital twins and hardware-in-the loop to reach Critical Design Definition through iterative Test Cases: i) Perimeter defence of forward units under coordinated swarms; ii) Convoy protection in open terrain under GNSS denial/EW; and iii) Selective, low-collateral response in congested airspace with friendly UAVs. AEGIS-NET strengthens European strategic autonomy by delivering an indigenous, ITAR-free, interoperable C-UAS/SHORAD layer aligned with EU CDP priorities, reducing foreign dependencies and reinforcing the EDTIB through SME-led innovation and scalable supply chains.

CIRA Activities in the Project

The activities of the project address technological developments and advances in the following areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms for loitering munition intent prediction for interception
• Mission logic for the interception including scalable, fault-tolerant and distributed swarm coordination
• C-UAS tactical doctrine and threat modelling (risk assessment part).

General Project Information

Funding Programme: European Defence Fund (EDF)

Start Date: 01/11/2026; End Date: 31/10/2029

Coordinating Organization: Ebos Technologies Limited (EBOS)

Partners: Artemis Research & Innovation S.R.L. (ART), Cy.R.I.C Cyprus Research And Innovation Center Ltd (CYRIC), Marduk Technologies Ou (MARDUK), CIRA, Ethniko Kentro Erevnas Kai Technologikis Anaptyxis (CERTH)

CIRA Contact: Vittorio Ugo Castrillo, v.castrillo@cira.it